Norman White, Ph.D. (1953-2017)

Norman White, Ph.D., an associate professor of criminology and criminal justice in
Saint Louis University’s College for Public Health and Social Justice, died suddenly
Wednesday, Dec. 6. He was 64.

Norman White, Ph.D.

Dr. White was highly respected for his academic knowledge, research and published
works. He is being remembered for his passion for using that knowledge to bring about
meaningful change in the lives and hearts of real-world people, communities and society-at-large.

Saint Louis University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., worked closely with Dr.
White on high-level University and community initiatives surrounding issues of racial
equity.

“It’s difficult to talk about Norm in the past tense or think about our city and our
University without him,” Pestello said. “He was truly a gift to St. Louis and SLU.
To many, he embodied SLU at its best. He cared deeply about and did immeasurable work
to address disparities for marginalized people. He was a great man — a loyal and compassionate
friend, a loving son and husband, and an engaged teacher and scholar. SLU is firmly
committed to continuing his work. There is no better way to honor his legacy and life.”

He generously gave of himself, his time, his energy and his dedication to students,
colleagues, and, very importantly, to Saint Louis University and local surrounding
communities.”

Noelle Fearn, Ph.D., director of the criminology and criminal justice program

Dr. White's work supporting the most at-risk children and families in the St. Louis
area was an inspiration to others, recalled Bridget McDermott Flood (A&S '78, Grad
A&S '80). Flood, the executive director of the Incarnate Word Foundation, worked with
Dr. White for many years. Most recently, the foundation supported his Shut It Down:
A Community Partnership for Racial Equity project and other efforts working with the
St. Louis Public Schools that aimed to break the school-to-prison pipeline.

"Norm was committed to creating a quilt of resources to support the most vulnerable
in our community," Flood said, noting that Dr. White had been set to receive a local leadership
award on Dec. 7, one day after his passing.

"His leadership in working to keep children in school and out of the juvenile justice
system will be a continuing inspiration to those who will contribute to his legacy
of service," Flood said.

As a professor, colleague and friend, Dr. White was an inspiration to those around
him, including Donald Linhorst, Ph.D., director of SLU's School of Social Work.

"I have always admired his passion for social justice and racial equity, both as an
academic and as a practitioner," Linhorst said. "He was a strong academic who put
his knowledge and research into practice. He was committed to his work with the most
vulnerable children. The challenge for us is to continue his work as a sign of respect
to his legacy."

Luke Pereles, a graduate student in the College for Public Health and Social Justice,
remembers Dr. White as "one of the most influential professors I have ever had the
privilege of meeting and being taught by."

"The impact he had on SLU’s social justice advocacy programs, both academic and in
the surrounding St. Louis community, will not soon be forgotten," Pereles said.

Jonathan Smith, Ph.D., SLU's vice president for diversity and community engagement,
was a longtime friend and colleague. He said Dr. White’s loss will be felt personally
and professionally by all who knew him.

"It's not often that you have friends who are also your heroes," Smith said. "Norm
was both of those to me. As a colleague, he always raised the bar and made everyone
want to be better. You wanted to satisfy him because you knew he wasn't asking any
less of himself. I can't begin to articulate the levels on which I already miss him."

Criminology and criminal justice program director Noelle Fearn, Ph.D., knew Dr. White
for nearly two decades and worked with him for the last 10 years. She said anyone
who received an email from Dr. White knew he lived the mantra that always followed
his signature: "Social justice is not a concept to be defined; it is an action to be taken.”

"It was his mantra and will probably be his legacy," Fearn said. "Clearly, Norm lived
his personal and professional lives according to this practical belief. He generously
gave of himself, his time, his energy and his dedication to students, colleagues and,
very importantly, to Saint Louis University and local surrounding communities.”

“Students have inundated me with texts, calls, emails and visits to Tegeler Hall to
express their shared sorrow and devastation. Norm’s death is a terrible loss for all
of us,” Fearn added.

Dr. White joined the SLU faculty in 2004 as an assistant professor and director of
criminal justice programs. He was an associate professor of criminology and criminal
justice. He was also an affiliated faculty member in SLU’s African American Studies
Program.

"His accomplishments as a teacher, scholar, and relentless advocate for social justice
were driven by his commitment to innate human dignity," said University Provost Nancy
Brickhouse, Ph.D. "In all aspects of his life, Norm lived God’s call to love and care
for others – especially those most forgotten. He will be greatly missed, but his impact
will live on in the students, faculty colleagues, and the community members he so
unselfishly served."

A native of New York, Dr. White received his B.A. (’81) and M.P.A. (’89) from Marist
College and went on to earn his master’s (’93) and doctorate (’01) from the State
University of New York at Albany.

A memorial prayer service will be held for Dr. White at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at
St. Francis Xavier College Church. For more information, contact Patrick Cousins in
the Office of Campus Ministry at 314-977-1505 or patrick.cousins@slu.edu.

Dr. White is survived by his mother Elizabeth “Betty” White; his wife, Liz; his sons,
Patrick and Michael; his sister, Marvina White, and brother-in-law Arnold Rampersad;
and his brother, William Riley, and sister-in-law, Pauline Riley

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11. Dr. White’s funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12. Both will be held at the Valhalla Holten Funeral Home, 3412 Frank Scott Parkway
West, in Belleville, Illinois.